LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Disaster Response LERT Teams Respond to Taylorville, Illinois, Hit by EF-3 Tornado

On December 1, there were 27 confirmed tornadoes that struck central Illinois. Stephen Born, Central Illinois District (CID) Disaster Coordinator, has invited LCC Northern Illinois District (NID) Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) to join the CID LERT teams on Saturday, December 8, in Taylorville, Illinois. This community took a direct hit from an EF-3 tornado, leaving significant damage or destruction to 406 homes. The LERT teams have been given the authorization by the Christian County Emergency Management Agency to complete disaster relief work and will be working with Pastor Rodney Blomquist from Trinity Lutheran Church in Taylorville to provide the mercy, compassion and presence of Jesus Christ to those affected by this tornado.

CLICK HERE to watch LERT teams already at work on the ABC World News Tonight with David Muir broadcast

On Monday, December 3, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Dinah (Trinity – Auburn, Illinois), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Esther (Holy Cross – Collinsville, Illinois), Mahlah (Our Savior – Milford, Illinois), Noah (Timothy – St. Louis, Missouri), and Tabby (St. Paul’s – Des Peres, Missouri) and their handlers deployed to Taylorville to bring comfort to the devastated community. Teams split up and the two teams visited different locations, including the Taylorville Police and Fire stations, day care centers, a Red Cross shelter, the local YMCA, and the Salvation Army relief site. The first responders were busy but the group brought smiles to their faces. The kids loved having the LCC K-9s at the day care center. The Comfort Dogs will return on December 8 to offer comfort and hope to residents, first responders, and volunteers.

Please continue to pray for this community as they begin the long road to recovery.

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